Fraud & Scam Alerts

20 April 2018 - We are aware that a number of people are receiving false communication requesting the transfer of funds or confidential client information. Simmons and Simmons only ever sends emails from the @simmons-simmons.com domain and never makes unsolicited phone calls requesting urgent financial transactions.

This is part of a wider issue with fraud involving the impersonation of lawyers from a number of firms. The SRA has issued an alert about one specific attempt that we have been made aware of recently in relation to emails purporting to be from David Parkes of this firm – more information can be found here.

If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of any communication purporting to be from Simmons & Simmons please refrain from responding directly to the communication and instead speak to Simmons & Simmons to confirm its legitimacy.

25 January 2016 - We have become aware of emails in which the names of two lawyers in this firm are being referred to. One purports to be from Mark Curtis, the “International Head of Corporate & Commercial” and is seeking contact to discuss a new issue, and the others purport to come from a number of different people (e.g. senior figures at organisations like DHL and WPP) and seek confidential information, but refer to Elizabeth Wake as being involved as a lawyer advising. You should be aware that neither lawyer, nor anyone else at Simmons & Simmons, has any involvement in the matters being referred to. Their names have been used without their knowledge and the emails are fraudulent. Anyone receiving such an email should ignore the content and exercise appropriate caution.

We have become aware that emails have been sent recently which state that they are from Alex Lloyd William, who purports to be a member of this firm. He claims to be in possession of inheritance funds from a deceased client (Engr. Mahundi Lowell Dawod), which he wants to share with the email recipients. He has been using a bogus posting on LinkedIn to try and gain credibility. The emails have not originated from Simmons & Simmons, and are fraudulent, and anyone receiving such an email should ignore the content and exercise appropriate caution.

We have become aware that emails have been sent recently which state that they are from this firm and/or Patrick Wallace and/or Jeremy Hoyland. The subject matter of the emails relate to the funds allegedly being held in the Bank of Montreal. The emails have not originated from Simmons & Simmons, Patrick Wallace or Jeremy Hoyland, and Patrick Wallace or Jeremy Hoyland are not acting as a consultant to the Bank of Montreal. We are taking steps to deal with this activity. Anyone receiving such an email should ignore the content and exercise appropriate caution.

We have become aware that the firm’s name and wordmark (and the name of individuals including Simon Watson) are being used and referred to as acting for an organisation called “BForBinary”. This firm has no relationship with any such organisation and any communications purporting to come from the firm in relation to BForBinary” are fraudulent.